Fine Gael reopens nominations to find candidate for presidential race

By Rebecca Black, PA

Fine Gael has reopened nominations to find a candidate to back in the upcoming presidential election.

It comes after Mairead McGuinness withdrew from the race for Áras an Uachtaráin for health reasons.

Former Fine Gael deputy leader Heather Humphreys and party MEP Sean Kelly are said to be considering whether to enter the contest.

On Monday evening, in a statement following a meeting of the Fine Gael Executive Council, the party extended its best wishes to Ms McGuinness.

Tánaiste Simon Harris announced Fine Gael has reopened nominations for a candidate to back to run to succeed current President Michael D Higgins.

He said the party hopes to have found a candidate by mid-September.

“Tonight we formally paid tribute to Mairead McGuinness for all her incredible public service and wish her a full recovery,” he said.

“Fine Gael took a decision to contest the presidential election a number of months ago and that remains our position.

“Over the next two weeks, there will now be an opportunity for people who wish to seek the Fine Gael nomination to come forward and to engage with our TDs, senators, councillors and members from right across Ireland.

“This will enable us to have a candidate in place by mid-September, in plenty of time for the election in the weeks ahead.

“I wish any and all prospective candidates the very best.”

Nominations will open at noon on Tuesday, August 19th and close at noon on Tuesday, September 2nd.

Potential candidates need the nomination of 20 members of the parliamentary party, 25 Fine Gael councillors and five members of the Executive Council.

The result is to be announced and the candidate will be ratified at a presidential election candidate convention in mid-September.